Crane accidents happen for specific reasons—faulty equipment, missed safety checks, or prioritizing speed over safety. Whatever the reason, you’re paying the consequences—pain, lost wages, medical bills, and a future that suddenly feels uncertain.
Workers’ compensation can help, but it’s not always enough. What most people don’t realize is that they might have the right to file a crane accident lawsuit. If a third party—like a contractor, equipment manufacturer, or site manager—played a role in your accident, you could be entitled to more than just workers’ comp. That means real compensation for your suffering, lost income, and long-term recovery. At Ethen Ostroff Law, we fight for injured workers and their families. So, if your accident could have been prevented, our crane accident lawyer will make sure those responsible are held accountable.
Cranes are essential on construction sites, allowing workers to lift and maneuver heavy materials with precision. But when safety measures are ignored or something goes wrong, the consequences can be deadly. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, crane-related accidents caused 297 deaths between 2011 and 2017, averaging 42 fatalities per year.
Key findings from the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries:
Where these accidents happened:
Who was most affected:
Regional impact:
Despite the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s strict safety regulations on crane operation, inspection, and maintenance, these accidents continue to happen—often due to negligence, improper training, or companies cutting corners. Understanding the causes of crane accidents is critical to preventing future tragedies and holding responsible parties accountable.
Crane accidents are preventable, but only when safety rules are followed. OSHA has strict regulations to keep workers safe, yet violations still lead to serious injuries.
Key OSHA safety regulations include:
Even with these rules in place, crane accidents still happen—usually because safety wasn’t the priority. When companies fail to follow the law, injured workers deserve justice.
One mistake in crane operations can cause collapsing machinery, falling loads, and serious injuries. Many of these accidents can be prevented with the right precautions. Knowing what causes them helps keep workers safe. Here are the most common reasons cranes fail:
It only takes a split second for a crane accident to change everything. Workers suffer devastating injuries, some requiring months or years of recovery—some never fully recover at all.
Common injuries include:
Crane accidents don’t just hurt people—they disrupt entire projects. The consequences can include:
One moment of negligence can shake an entire worksite, industry, and community. That’s why safety isn’t just a rule. It’s what keeps everything from falling apart.
Most crane accidents can be prevented with proper training, equipment checks, and safety protocols. Here are key steps to keep worksites safe:
Safety is about protecting lives, preventing costly delays, and keeping projects on track.
A crane accident can leave you with painful injuries, medical bills you can’t keep up with, and stress of the unknown. If you’re in this position, it’s important to know what legal options you have to get the financial support you need.
Every case is unique, and the best legal strategy depends on the specifics of your situation. A crane accident lawyer at Ethen Ostroff Law can help you understand your rights and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Getting hurt in a crane accident can throw your life off track, but workers’ compensation is there to help cover medical bills and lost wages. Here’s what to do next:
The sooner you act, the better your chances of getting the support you need to move forward.
If workers’ compensation isn’t enough or someone’s negligence caused your accident, you may have the right to file a crane accident lawsuit. A legal claim can help you recover the full cost of your injuries—not just medical bills and lost wages, but also pain and suffering, emotional distress, and other damages workers’ comp doesn’t cover. Here’s how to get started:
A crane accident can change your life, but taking legal action can help you move forward with the financial support you need.
Finding out who’s responsible for a crane accident comes down to what went wrong and who failed to keep things safe. Depending on the situation, liability could fall on:
With so many people involved, figuring out who’s responsible takes a thorough investigation.
If you were injured in a crane accident, holding the right party accountable comes down to proving negligence. To do that, you need to show:
Sometimes, more than one party is responsible. Employers can be liable for their workers’ mistakes, and property owners can be sued if dangerous site conditions played a role. Proving fault takes strong evidence and expert insight, which is why having a crane accident lawyer on your side is so important.
A crane accident can turn your life upside down physically, financially, and emotionally. If you’ve been injured, you may be entitled to compensation for:
Workers’ comp might cover some expenses. However, it won’t make up for everything you’ve lost. Legal action could help you recover full compensation if negligence played a role in your accident. A crane accident lawyer can walk you through your options and help you decide on the best path forward.
Crane accidents turn lives upside down. Workers, bystanders, and even entire projects suffer when something goes wrong. While safety rules are in place to prevent these accidents, negligence, equipment failures, and human error still put people at risk. If you were hurt in a crane accident, you shouldn’t have to deal with the aftermath alone. Ethen Ostroff Law will fight to get you the compensation you need for medical bills, lost income, and the impact on your life. Call us today to discuss your case and find out how we can help.
Yes, crane operators can be held liable if their negligence caused the accident. Failing to follow safety rules, skipping inspections, or operating recklessly can put lives at risk. If an operator was distracted, untrained, or ignored weight limits, they could be responsible for the damage.
Most crane injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis—they only get paid if you win. Their fee is a percentage of your compensation, which can vary based on factors like case complexity and location. Contact Ethen Ostroff Law to learn more.
Several parties investigate crane accidents, depending on the situation. OSHA and local authorities assess workplace safety violations, while insurance companies review claims. Employers, contractors, and crane manufacturers may also investigate to protect their interests. Victims and their families often seek legal investigations to build a case. Reach out to Ethen Ostroff Law to get the full picture.
Cable load failure is the leading cause of fatal crane accidents. It’s followed closely by electrocution from overhead power lines. Every year, around 42 people lose their lives in crane accidents across the U.S.—often due to collapses, struck-by incidents, poor maintenance, rushed inspections, or lack of proper training. If your loved one was killed in a crane accident, finding out what went wrong is the first step toward justice. Contact Ethen Ostroff Law to hold the right people accountable.
His career began in public service as a Surveillance Officer in Maricopa County, where he gained firsthand experience in high-stakes decision-making and developed a deep sense of discipline and accountability. He later served as Chief Operating Officer of a fast-growing law firm, driving efficiency, revenue growth, and team development. Today, Ryan focuses on helping law firms reach their full potential by aligning people, processes, and long-term vision. A strategic thinker and empowering leader, Ryan is passionate about developing others and guiding organizations through meaningful, lasting growth.
Passionate about securing legal rights, Joseph actively participates in pro bono work through various organizations, including Christian Legal Aid of Pittsburgh and the ABA Military Pro Bono Project. Licensed to practice in Pennsylvania and the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, he is a member of the Allegheny County and Pennsylvania Bar Associations. Outside of work, Joseph enjoys sports, reading, and creative writing, and has been involved in rowing and curling. He resides in Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania, with his parents.
Nicholas began his post-graduate career clerking for the Honorable Linda Rovder Fleming in the Cambria County Court of Common Pleas. From there, he quickly found his calling in workers’ compensation, personal injury, and Social Security disability law—areas where he could directly impact people’s lives in moments of crisis. He’s helped clients navigate complex legal claims, including securing a settlement exceeding $300,000.
Nicholas brings clear communication, genuine empathy, and an unrelenting drive to achieve the best outcomes for his clients. Whether he’s navigating a complex workers’ comp claim or pushing for a major settlement, he brings focus, dedication, and deep legal knowledge to every case.
He’s also a proud member of Pennsylvania Advocates for Justice and remains active in various professional legal organizations. Nicholas is licensed to practice law in Pennsylvania.
When he’s not fighting for the injured, Nicholas is enjoying time with his family, kicking a soccer ball around, hitting the golf course, or cheering on Pittsburgh’s local teams.
Joe Ring heads the workers’ compensation department at Ethen Ostroff Law, where he takes pride in fighting for injured workers.
Joe is a Philadelphia native and maintains deep roots in the area. As the grandson of a Philadelphia Firefighter, son of a Philadelphia public school teacher, and veteran of the United State Marine Corps, he was taught to value service, dedication, and hard work. He applies these values to every case and takes great satisfaction in representing hard-working clients with those same traits.
After obtaining his bachelor’s degree in history from St. Vincent College in Western Pennsylvania, he graduated from Villanova Law School in 2012 and, since then, has litigated hundreds of workers’ compensation hearings and trial depositions on behalf of both employers and injured workers. During this time, Mr. Ring has written articles and presented Continuing Legal Education courses on developments in Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Law. He is active in local professional organizations, and, in 2022, he served a Co-chairperson of the Philadelphia Bar Associations Workers’ Compensation Section.
Since coming to EOL in 2024, he has dedicated his practice entirely to helping injured workers navigate the system and obtain their rightful benefits.
Joe is licensed to practice in Pennsylvania.
Brandon Zanan heads the personal injury claim department with Ethen Ostroff Law.
Brandon’s education in both law and medicine assist him in expertly representing badly injured victims. Brandon has a Master’s Degree in Forensic Medicine from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, with a concentration in anatomy and pathology. With this knowledge, Brandon is skilled at analyzing medical records and understanding injuries that are common in personal injury claims. He uses this expertise in conjunction with listening carefully to each client’s needs, in order to fiercely advocate for clients and tell their stories when they would not otherwise have a voice.
Brandon’s background includes a variety of experience and skills in various areas of civil practice. He is the author and editor of numerous books for the George T. Bisel Publishing Company, including “Pennsylvania Damages” and the “Pennsylvania Vehicle Code Annotated,” two texts that are frequently relied on by lawyers and judges across Pennsylvania as authoritative resources on personal injury law.
Brandon is a member of the Pennsylvania and Montgomery Bar Associations. He is also a member of Pennsylvania Association for Justice, and has served as an executive board member of the Montgomery American Inn of Court.
He is admitted to practice in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the United States District Courts for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and Middle District of Pennsylvania, the State of New Jersey, the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, and in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Brandon has represented many clients in motor vehicle, premises liability, animal bite, and products liability cases across Pennsylvania and New Jersey and has obtained outstanding results with millions of dollars recovered for his clients.
He has been named a Pennsylvania Rising Star from 2021 onward. The “Super Lawyers-Rising Star®”, list recognizes no more than 2.5 percent of attorneys in each state
Brandon currently lives in Malvern with his wife Rachel and their son Max.
Effective Date: July 10, 2024
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